Weather in Iowa: Tornadoes and Flooding

The weather lately has been anything but "normal" for a summer that we're typically used to here in the midwest! It seems Iowa, the state where I grew up and have a lot of family, has been hit incredibly hard by the storms and tornadoes!! This past weekend there was extreme flooding in many areas throughout the state, many towns of which called for evacuations of the community where people lost their homes and belongings. Other towns experienced the tornadoes that have been coming through the area lately! Tornadoes aren't a stranger here, but we sure haven't seen this many in quite some time!! There have been some very sad stories of tornadoes taking lives and tearing whole towns apart. In fact, just this morning I saw on the Today Show a clip about a tornado hitting a boy scout camp last night...killing 4 young boys! So sad...:( My heart goes out to their families and everyone who has been affected by this absurd weather this summer. I sure hope that the tornadoes and storms are past us, and we can look forward to a more normal and enjoyable summer from here on out.

Already thinking of Christmas photo cards!

Now that we have Kaelyn we've been talking about how fun it would be to take a fun family vacation sometime over these summer months. Whenever we're doing something fun like that, I also make sure to have my camera. Not only is it a great way to capture memories...but I'm the type of person who thinks ahead and really likes to find a fun picture for Christmas Photo Cards. I know it's a little early for that, but I've already been looking into cardsdirect.com, which makes it possible for me to make photo cards with family photos and write anything on the front and inside of the card.

One of the family vacations we'd like to go on with Kaelyn...I place I went as a child is Disney World. It's such a magical place and the pictures we would get with Kaelyn and all of the characters would be just incredible and great memories in the making!

Busy Baby

Kaelyn has sure been a busy bee lately! She learned to crawl a few weeks ago...and ever since has been going everywhere...getting into everything. I can see why it's so important to baby proof the house. There are some things that I still have out, not unsafe items by any means, that she's simply going to have to learn not to touch...like books, picture frames, etc. I can't believe how quickly she learned to not only crawl...but from get to place to place with such ease. I now find her pulling up on things as well and standing. She still does not have the balance she needs to do this without supervision...but it's just amazing how they learn one thing, and then they're off to the next. They're so smart and so much fun to watch! She keeps us busy, but I wouldn't change any of it for the world...I love being a mom!

The Hammer Ruler

With all of the remodeling and work we've been doing around the house...it got me thinking about different things that would make it quicker and easier. I am often busy with Kaelyn...and Scott is usually busy with the things that we're redoing...so anything to help make it easier on both of us would be much appreciated. I just did a survey for dneero...paid by the way...and it was about this thing called the Hammer Ruler! I thought it was pretty clever and something I thought I'd share with all of you. Take a look at the survey, and even take it if you want. I'd love to know what you think of this new product.

New Blog Template

For a while now I've been getting pretty tired of my old blog design. I mean, I love pink...but it was just getting to congested with ads, banners, etc. I needed something more simple with more room for everything that I wanted on here. Thankfully I now have three columns which seems to work much better for me. I love the new colors...they definitely are "me"! I'm excited to have a new blog template to work with and continue sharing my life, thoughts, and interests with you all!

How do you like the blog? :)

Needing a Massage?

More Progress...

Today more progress happens on the basement. Scott is going to work on building up the very last wall...and then will hopefully get up some of the drywall as well!! I'm SOOOO excited. Once the drywall is up, it's mainly mudding it, painting it...and then my favorite part...carpet!! Yippee!! I'll definitely be adding pictures of the progress we've made...it's going to be a big change. We'll be going from an empty and unfinished basement to one that has a bedroom, play room, family room bathroom and laundry room...it will look great!

Weightloss Surgery

JourneyLite makes it easy for people to find the weight loss surgery they're looking for. Have you ever heard of them before? I hadn't until just recently, but am so glad I did...as I think it's important to share them with others who may find their services and help useful! Are you considering the LapBand surgery by any chance? If so, they will help guide you through a process with four steps that will make it easy to decide if it's right for you. You will find a great surgeon, check approval with your insurance and get follow-up care as well. Check them out today if you'd like to learn more about all they have to offer you and central florida lapband!

Changing Baby

Kaelyn is almost 7 months old already! I can't believe that when I think about it. It's crazy how quickly the time goes...isn't it?!! Wow!! Just seven months ago she was a tiny newborn, and now she is a busy busy little girl...crawling all over the place. They change so much. I'm glad we always have a camera with us to capture all of these milestones...because they pass far too quickly! I'm looking forward to what the next few months will bring and the changes she will face.

Journey Lite

I think it's great that there are so many ways to lose weight these days. There is even a surgical procedure that many people have probably heard of which makes it possible to start over and live a healthier life. Have you ever heard of JourneyLite before? They offer a comprehensive weight-loss surgery program that helps people lose weight. Using their system you can find out if the LapBand System is right for you, find a surgeon that's right for, like thousand oaks lapband physician, get approved by your insurance and find follow-up care after the surgery. It's a great company and one many others should look into.